ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Railways has completed 14 projects during the current financial year, Senate Standing Committee on Railways was told here the other day.
The meeting, held under the chairmanship of Asad Ali Khan Junejo, was briefed in detail about the Public Sector Development Project (PSDP).
The committee was told that the budget of Railways was Rs. 97 billion during financial year 2019-20, including Rs. 58 billion income and Rs. 39 billion grant (subsidy). The main expenditures of Railways were salaries, pension and fuel. As many as Rs. 29 billion were being spent on the payment of salaries while Rs. 39 billion were paid as pension expenditures.
The meeting was told that the market share of railways was being enhanced from four to twenty percent. Railways has an important role in National Transport Policy 2018, which has already been finalised.
The National Transport Framework was also being devised to provide safe and environment-friendly atmosphere to the passengers. A sum of Rs. 16 billion has been allocated in current financial year’s PSDP. While the projects worth Rs. 31 billion would be executed in next year.
The efforts will be made to ensure goods transportation through railways instead of roads, the structure of Railways existed in all four provinces. Gawadar would be connected by two railway lines. The committee was told that 50 percent land has already been acquired by Railways in Gawadar. Railways has 68,000 employees and 122,000 pensioners. In first seven months of current financial year, Rs 21 billion has already been spent for paying pensions.
More grant of Rs. 4.1 billion was required for paying pensions. The committee directed Railways management seeking the details of promotions in grade 20 and 21 for last two years.
Mr. Asad Ali Khan Junejo briefed on detail about PDSR. Railway Budget Rs.97 billion FY2019/20 inclusive of Rs.58 billion grant of Rs.39-00 subsidy.
Expenses/Salaries pension, fuel Rs.29 billion, Rs.39 billion Pension Total Rs.68 billion. ProfitPkToday to the release of this important information which is not a business case for healthy margin/profit justifying borrowing/FDI to the railways.
EOBI takes care of Pension invested subscription for every staff members, hence a lump sum payment is not reqiured.
2020 a year of Tourism in Pakistan and Pak Rail has to play its role on international standards of safety, create hospitality to international standards.
The best thing positive thing is Governments initiatives to revitalise Railways, provide safe, economical transport accepted worldwide. The Honorable German Ambassador showed goodwill message from Germany by travelling in Pak Rail from Rawalpindi to Karachi in a 26 hour journey. The respective Ministries/Ministers should also travel by rail. I suggest all pensioners are all very safe with the EOBI taking all responsibility. Important fact they should work with discipline to their tasks sincerely to eliminate deficit/losses to the exchequer. Our Prime Minister was invited by the Chancellor Merkel of Federal Germany for a visit to Germany, to experience the Maglev train the fastest train in the world that will change the fate of Pakistan. First of all all Ministers should start travelling by train, includes diplomats, foreign missions, as the Honorable German Ambassador travelled by train to Karachi. This is the day when when the trains will go to all small stations.